Standing stone

The National Monuments Service's description

In pasture on a roughly N−S ridge which provides good views in all directions, including distant views of Trusk More, Dargan Hill and Murreen Hill. This stone was recorded by Lacey et al (1983, 80, no. 402) as follows: ‘A standing stone 2m high × 1.4m wide at base × 0.3m maximum thickness; WNW-ESE. It is prominently sited on a high, level plateau overlooking lower ground to W.’ The standing stone collapsed, probably during a storm in December 1998. A rescue excavation (00E0755) was carried out in October 2000 on behalf of the NMS in advance of the re-erection of the stone. The total length of the stone is 2.58m. The excavation uncovered the original pit (1.65m E−W; 0.95m N−S; D 0.15-0.25m) dug to receive the stone. The pit was subrectangular in plan, with rounded corners and a flat base, and had packing stones on all sides except at W. A flint scraper was recovered from the interface between topsoil and redeposited subsoil, but could not be ascribed to a secure context. (Crumlish 2002, no. 174)

Attached image: DG018-017----_01.JPG viewed from SE
Attached image: DG018-017----_02.JPG viewed from E
Attached image: DG018-017----_03.JPG viewed from NE

Compiled by: Jane O'Shaughnessy

Date of upload: 22 September 2017

References

Crumlish, R. 2002 Drumfad Lower, Donegal. In I. Bennett (ed.) Excavations 2000: summary accounts of archaeological excavations in Ireland, no.174. Bray. Wordwell.

Lacy, B. with Cody, E., Cotter, C., Cuppage, J., Dunne, N., Hurley, V., O'Rahilly, C., Walsh, P. and Ó Nualláin, S. 1983 Archaeological Survey of County Donegal. A description of the field antiquities of the County from the Mesolithic Period to the 17th century A.D. Lifford. Donegal County Council.